Software/Hardware Purchasing
Hardware for Personal Purchase
Clark University recommends that students own laptop computers, but with so many computer manufacturers in the marketplace, it can be both confusing and frustrating to make a purchase.
To aide you, ITS has partnered with Dell, HP, and Apple to offer discounts on their computer offerings. If you would like advice before making your final choice (whether it be these systems or any other), please don't hesitate to contact the ITS Help Desk (508.793.7745). Our staff would be happy to help you.
You will need your ClarkNet credentials to login and view our configurations at the Dell and Apple stores:
- Attention:
does not currently support Microsoft Vista, Mac OS 10.5, and/or Office 2007/2008. ITS will continue to research these products, but will be unable to provide end user support from the Help Desk. Please continue to use Microsoft Windows XP, Mac OS 10.4 & Office 2003/2004 wherever possible.
- Who can order these computers?
- Systems featured on these pages may be ordered by members of the Clark University
community including:
- Students: undergraduate and graduate students (including incoming students and recent graduates);
- Faculty: including full- and part-time, as well as adjuncts and emeritus faculty members;
- Staff: including full and part-time employees;
- Persons affiliated with the Graduate School of Management (GSOM) and the College of Professional and Continuing Education (COPACE).
Please note: These laptops are configured for personal purchases only, as opposed to institutional purchases. Institutional purchases must go through the ITS Help Desk.
At the time of your order you may be asked for verification of your affiliation with Clark. - Why buy one of these laptops and not a system from my local computer store?
- Each of these machines has been designed to work within Clark's computing environment.
They build on University initiatives, such as wireless network connectivity and laptop
initiatives in the curriculum. In addition, Information Technology Services staff is able
to offer you a higher level of service with these models as we have established a rapport
with the manufacturers.
Clark believes that you should have a three-year warranty on your laptop computer. Most computers sold at retail stores come with only 1 year warranties. Clark's configurations include three-year warranties and in the case of Dell systems, accidental damage protection (covering damage from spills, drops, power surges, etc). - Why laptops and why wireless?
- Laptop computers best suit the life of the typical Clark student. Their portability allows
you to bring your work with you to class, the library, or your study groups. Laptop computers
are easy to secure in your residence hall and take up much less space in your residence hall
room. When moving back and forth to campus over the years, they present much less of a
transportation headache.
Clark has undertaken wireless networking projects on campus which are aimed at making network/Internet connectivity available. Clark's wireless networking initiatives and projects greatly facilitate access to the campus network and the Internet. View maps of Clark's wireless coverage. - What about software?
- We have not asked Apple or Dell to to include Microsoft Office Professional in their
configurations because the University licensing arrangements allow us to sell it to you for
less than the manufacturers' best academic pricing. We encourage students to purchase Microsoft
Office Professional from the Help Desk at less than $70 - see the software
discounts for students page.
Clark University also includes students in our campus license for antivirus software. If you are bringing your computer to campus, you must install antivirus software prior to your arrival. - What about security?
- ITS gets many questions about laptop security from folks concerned about the possibility of theft. There have not been widespread laptop thefts on our campus. In the case of the few systems that have been stolen, they were not secured and had been left unattended. ITS bundles security cables in with each of our recommended laptop configurations and strongly encourages the use of them.